Online resource packed with regulatory news and expert guidance, tips & tools pertinent to professionals across the post-acute care continuum.
CMS is revising the COVID-19 focused infection control (FIC) survey tool for acute and continuing care to help ensure an effective assessment of a provider’s or supplier’s implementation of the appropriate infection prevention standards, according to a memo released December 30. In agreement with QSO-20-35-All (dated August 17, 2020) related to the revised survey prioritization, […]
CMS unveiled new quality measures under consideration for nursing homes shortly before Christmas. While some previously implemented measures have been updated, there are several new measures focused on the COVID-19 pandemic, and vaccinations in healthcare settings. The new measures under consideration, as outlined by CMS, include: Five outcome measures (measures that focus on the results […]
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently began releasing new hospital COVID-19 data at the facility level. The data shows weekly impacts from COVID-19 on ICU and bed capacity. When announcing the new datasets last month, HHS noted that it should help local and regional collaborations. Home health industry leaders have noted that […]
Health plans will have to start covering COVID-19 vaccines shortly after their approval, regardless of whether they are delivered by an in-network provider, under regulations finalized by three federal agencies.The interim final rule published on November 6 (85 Fed. Reg. 71142) is designed to implement various healthcare and coverage provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, […]
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has provided new guidance for employers considering requiring COVID-19 vaccinations—guidance that attorneys advising employers say needs to be studied carefully. On December 16, the EEOC added a new section to its guidance on how employer COVID-19 vaccination policies interact with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of […]
On December 3, 2020, U.S. Transcend Strategy Group fielded a survey asking if the COVID-19 vaccine would impact people’s willingness to receive care. Of the 599 respondents, 65% said a health care provider’s vaccine status will influence whether they seek care. More than a third, 35%, said a vaccinated caregiver will significantly impact their decision […]
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has updated its guidance on how employers can navigate federal antidiscrimination laws while requiring employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. On December 16, the EEOC added a section on how the COVID-19 vaccination interacts with the legal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title VII of the […]
The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from partners Pfizer and BioNTech were administered to the first health care workers Monday, Dec. 7, following final federal approval over the weekend. The CDC recommendations for the first phase in vaccine distribution included home health caregivers, but it is up to individual states to determine who gets […]
Nursing home residents could receive the COVID-19 vaccine as early as Christmas, said Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on December 13. Azar remarked to CBS’ “Face the Nation,” that nearly all nursing homes in the country have signed up for the federal government’s program to distribute the vaccine. Walgreens expects to receive the […]
Health plans will have to start covering COVID-19 vaccines shortly after their approval, regardless of whether they are delivered by an in-network provider, under regulations finalized by three federal agencies. The interim final rule published on November 6 (85 Fed. Reg. 71142) is designed to implement various health care and coverage provisions of the Coronavirus […]